Galileo FOC-7 & Galileo FOC-8Soyuz STB/FregatArianespace Launch Status Success Thu · Dec 17th, 2015 6:51 AM EST Watch Online MissionGalileo FOC-7 & Galileo FOC-8Type: CommunicationsThe 7th and 8th “Full Operational Capability†satellites will be the 11th and 12th Galileo satellites launched, alongside the 6 FOC and 4 IOV spacecraft already in orbit. The Galileo constellation is ESA’s satellite navigation system and is expected to be completed by 2020. Galileo will provide Europe with an alternative to the American GPS and Russian GLONASS constellations, but will be interoperable with both systems. LocationSoyuz Launch ComplexKourou, French Guiana151 rockets have launched from Kourou, French Guiana. RocketSoyuz STBLength: 46.3 meters Diameter: 2.95 meters First Launch: October 21, 2011The 2.1b version adds an upgraded engine (RD-0124) with improved performance to the second stage. First launch took place from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 on 26 July 2008 with a classified military payload. The 2.1b/ST version is sometimes called Soyuz ST-B.The Soyuz STB rocket has been launched a total of 11 times with 10 successful and 1 failed launches. AgencyArianespaceType: Commercial Abbreviation: ASA Administration: CEO: Stéphane Israël Founded: 1980 Launchers: Ariane 5 | VegaCountry: FRAArianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world’s first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America. View Rocket Launch Schedule